A Ditch for the Diversion?

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The city is beginning to look at other options for flood protection.

To build or not to build, that’s the question, and it’s all dependent on one thing… the diversion.

“Another 8 years or another 2 decades, we simply don’t know that answer right now,” says Fargo City Commissioner Tony Gehrig. 

The diversion hasn’t even gotten federal funding yet. So in the case it doesn’t happen, looking at other flood protection options is a must. The first suggestion, 10 foot deep holding ponds.

“Take people out of the flood zone, be an area where water can be held,” says Gehrig. 

Suggested to the city by Houston Engineering, the holding ponds would be built south of 52nd Avenue all the way to 76th, 2,000 acres worth of undeveloped land.

“Homes like this were just developed a few years ago, and many were expecting this landscape to be developed as well.”

Patrick Peltier’s backyard is that 2,000 acres.

And for him, the option doesn’t sound too bad.

“The diversion is taking a really long time to come around so to have a plan in place i think is a good idea for the city,” says Fargo resident, Patrick Peltier. 

But the ponds aren’t necessarily a fix.

“They will protect us up to 49 feet, not 31.8. Won’t take us completely out of the FEMA flood zone,” says Gehrig.

There are still a few years of just building levees and walls around the city.

“I would urge the other commissioners to wait and see as well because I don’t think anyone really knows the answer,” says Gehrig.

But it’s a decision that will eventually have to be made, as the city depends on it.

The city is also looking at building an even deeper ditch…cutting the land usage in half.

Other options may also be considered.